The girls have been very focused this year on what their goals and dreams are. I feel that we've been tested at the right times, and we've been playing our best basketball at the right time.

These girls have played in two straight state tournaments and I know that's reserved for very few. We fell just short of the triple crown. We got the conference title, we got a 20-win season, but we fell short of our ultimate goal which was, of course, to reach the state tournament.

Clausen and Swanson are both examples of how much hard work pays off. Individual success stems from team success and they've been part of some very successful teams at Denison.

I have seven great seniors and I'm very proud of each one. They're experiencing a great season and one that still has a lot of promise for all of us.

They were truly basketball players. They all were dedicated to the game. They put a lot of time and heart and soul into this. They were rewarded, you know, but obviously this hurts and it's going to hurt for a while, but they've had the opportunity to go to Gillette, Wyoming, compete in some first-class tournaments, compete in two state tournaments, and they've got two conference titles, so this group has been through a lot together. They'll be missed.

It's nice to seem them rewarded for all of their hard work. They're both good kids and the type of kids that I feel like I can call them my own. I couldn't be more proud of both of them. Again, it's a tremendous honor and very deserving for both girls.

It's a very good program for her and she'll fit in very nice there.

Sometimes the toughest games to win are the ones you're supposed to. I was proud of the girls for keeping their focus and understanding what we're trying to accomplish and not getting caught up in what our opponent is doing.

This was a very good Harlan team we beat tonight. The game was billed as two of the best teams in western Iowa, and nobody went home disappointed.

We've had this dream, and tonight the dream had a chance to become a reality, to be conference champions. When you've got a bunch of seniors that have busted their hump like they have for as long as they have, you get what you ask for.